UAPB vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, AR with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethel University is larger than UAPB based on total student enrollment (2,936 students vs. 2,005 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is located in Pine Bluff, AR (Small City setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 12:1; Bethel University 15:1.

UAPB vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAPB or Bethel? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff than Bethel ($12,373 vs. $13,112).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are 12.8% lower than at Bethel University ($9,194 vs. $10,538).
• Bethel University is 98.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAPB (about $9,300 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $9,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Bethel than at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (about $720 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $17,992.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 62.6% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students ($17,700 vs. $10,883).

UAPB vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAPB or Bethel? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bethel and UAPB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (980) is the same as at Bethel (980).
• Incoming Bethel students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 16 at UAPB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 845/1108; Bethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14/18; Bethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAPB - Required; Bethel - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at UAPB (2.9).
• Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than UAPB (41.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at UAPB vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

UAPB vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAPB and Bethel? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bethel University's six-year graduation rate (32%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's (23%).
• Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than UAPB graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduates have a $1,502 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($26,748 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, UAPB graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($276 vs. $292).
• More Bethel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAPB students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.